Turning Down a Parliamentary Mandate
Denys Pyatihorets has declined the parliamentary seat he was awarded after the Central Election Commission recognized him as a duly elected lawmaker for the European Solidarity party. He cited the end of his political career and a desire to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine more effectively outside of parliament as reasons for his decision. According to Pyatihorets, he believes his ability to aid the Ukrainian military is far greater when he is not constrained by the duties of a deputy.
The Central Election Commission confirmed Pyatihorets as an elected deputy following the death of Stepan Kubiv. Pyatihorets first entered politics in 1997, but by 2019 he had already decided to step away from political life. Since the war began, he has raised nearly $1 million for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“Now that I have stopped being involved in and paying attention to politics, I feel completely out of place in this story,” – Denys Pyatihorets.
Political Career and Activities
From 2012 to 2019, Pyatihorets served as an aide to Stepan Ivakhiv, an independent member of parliament. In 2010, he was elected to the Zaporizhzhia city council as a member of the Party of Regions. However, between 2012 and 2013, data from the Chesno movement listed him among the top absentees for missing parliamentary sessions.
- In 2020, Ivakhiv transferred ownership of the company Sonris LTD—engaged in commercial consulting and trading—to Pyatihorets.
- During 2021–2022, Pyatihorets headed the enterprise Diverti, which specializes in real estate rental and management.
- Between 2017 and 2019, he served as deputy head of the Volyn Regional State Administration.
Pyatihorets reaffirmed his decision to give up the parliamentary mandate, stating:
“This is a final decision I made long ago in principle, but I could only announce it legally after being officially recognized as a people’s deputy,” – Denys Pyatihorets.He also stressed that he has no intention of serving as a deputy because 'the war started,' adding that 'as a businessperson and someone who manages social media and organizes fundraisers, I have—and will continue to have—far more opportunities to help the Armed Forces.'
Pyatihorets’s rejection of his seat highlights a shift in Ukraine’s political landscape during wartime, where many politicians are re-evaluating their roles and responsibilities. His choice may serve as an example of how business interests and active civic engagement can combine to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces—a pressing concern for many Ukrainians today. This situation could also influence other politicians considering a move toward practical assistance rather than traditional political work.
Following the confirmation of Denys Pyatihorets as a newly elected deputy, it is important to note the circumstances surrounding the late Stepan Kubiv's seat. The recent appointment of a successor from the European Solidarity party highlights the ongoing political shifts in the region, emphasizing the significant impact of these changes on local governance and representation.